Eastern
Mediterranean University, Cyprus Paper Art Association were hosts for the
long-term touring IAPMA paper art exhibition that carried a double message with
it. The one message is international communication, exchange of ideas on a
broad level and the other is an amazing insight into the philosophy of paper
making and paper art.

The
president of our local paper art association KKSD/ACPA, and artist Ismet Tatar,
opened the exhibition thanking the Rector of EMU Prof. Dr. Necdet Osam and all
those supporting the exhibition especially the curator and coordinator Zera Şonya
and her team for setting up the exhibition at the Raif Rauf Denktaş Culture and
Congress Hall. The Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Sonuç Zorluof the Eastern Mediterranean University
welcomed the guests and expressed the importance of international exchange
among artists.

I could
not say it better, not give a better overview on IAPMA and paper art, than Helene
Tschacher, former President of IAPMA and paper art herself, who has come from
Germany for the occasion of the exhibition opening. She is now retired after
many years of service in the matter of this fascinating art form. Helene Tschacher
and many IAPMA members have been to Cyprus before for a symposium to celebrate
IAPMA’s 25th anniversary. Inci Kansu, the very first IAPMA member in
Cyprus had organised the event to be in Cyprus in 2018 which I heard will be
the last station for the touring exhibition. Two years on the road, my
compliments, it takes a lot of organising. And, in order to reach a wide circle
of viewers, the exhibition will have another appearance in Nicosia in February
2019 (see details on the end of the text).

Here is
Helene Tschacher’s opening speech which she kindly sent to me:

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen, dear friends of
paper and paper art.

Many thanks for the invitation to the opening
of "Inspired by Paper".

This touring exhibition with paper art started
in April 2016 in Düsseldorf Germany,

Then the exhibition was shown at further 12
different locations in Bulgaria, Poland, France, Spain, Austria and Italy. So
far "Inspired by Paper" has seen by over 38,000 visitors.

Why was this travelling exhibition with 53
international paper artists sent on a journey all over Europe? The reason is IAPMA

What is IAPMA

IAPMA (International Association of Hand Paper
Makers and Paper Artists) was founded in 1986 and currently has about 480
members in over 42 countries.

The aim of the association is the international
exchange of knowledge, ideas and information around the art of papermaking, the
different cultural and traditional paper art and inspiration in dealing with
paper as an artistic source material.

Through international exhibitions, publications
and congresses, IAPMA offers a forum for those who are interested and enjoy
paper and paper art. The last Congresses were 2014 Fabriano, Italy, 2016
Brasila, Brazil, and 2018 Sofia, Bulgaria. A congress is to be held in Japan in
2020.

Paper is a material with a long history, but it
was not until the 20th century that it was discovered as an independently valid
means of expression for art.

Abstraction in art brought the nature and value
of the material into the focus of artistic interest.

Materials now become pictorial objects. Paper
is no longer "only" a carrier material for drawings, printing or
colour but is actually "placed in the picture". Cubists and Dadaists
used it directly for their collages.

The term "paper art" first appeared
in the USA in the 1970s.

Artists such as Rauschenberg and Stella
discover the work with "Paper Pulp", from which two- and
three-dimensional works of art are created. The technique of "Pulp
Painting" also finds its way into their artistic work.

Over the years, "Paper Art" has
developed in many directions. Works on, or with paper can be amateurishly
pretty and decorative, but also convey complex concepts, ideas,
thought-provoking impulses.

Despite its high historical value, the use of
paper as a material has become very free and new for artists today.

Paper of all kinds seems to be available
without limits.

The handmade "preciousness" has long
since become a recycling material that seduces to "indulgence":
space-filling installations can be realized. Lasers and plotters open up new
processing possibilities. Paper is processed in masses, alienated and combined
with foreign materials without fear of contact.

The everyday handling of paper creates lightness
towards the material. Its everydayness fulfils our desire to "touch and
feel" and does not require excessive respect.

Possibly the access to art made of paper and
the confrontation with the "paper" work of art has become less
complicated for the viewer.

Paper - located between handmade preciousness
and mass product, absolute vulnerability and recycled robustness - gives us the
discovery of unexpected emotions and inspiring challenges.

Let yourself be inspired, stirred, addressed,
wrapped up by the works made of paper in the exhibition "inspired by
Paper" and find your very own approach to paper art ...

... and perhaps next time before you empty
their wastepaper baskets into the paper bin, think about all the things that
can be realized with such a piece of paper ...

I wish that by this exhibition visiting art
lovers, artists and young artists-to-be will be stimulated and inspired by the
material paper.

teşekkür ederim

The art
works from so many different countries are absolutely fascinating, I heard it
said from so many viewers on the opening evening. A photo can hardly show the
complexity of each art work, 2- and 3-dimensional objects, very delicate pieces
in different techniques.

The show
in Famagusta will be on until 28 December, 2018. It will be transferred to Nicosia
on 04 February 2019, see the details on the poster. The viewing times are
according to official office hours.

If you
want to learn more about our local association and the many events, enter Heidi
Trautmann and KKSD/ACPA, you will find many reviews on interesting events in
the past and in the future.